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Netherlands clearly defeats Germany: EM trauma remains!
The German hockey players clearly lost 1:5 to the Netherlands at the 2025 European Championships in Mönchengladbach. With a win against Ireland the semi-final remains in focus.
Netherlands clearly defeats Germany: EM trauma remains!
The German women's hockey team suffered a defeat against feared opponents the Netherlands in the second group game of the European Championship in the Mönchengladbach Hockey Park. The players led by their new national coach Janneke Schopman, who was once active for the Netherlands and won numerous titles with her team, lost 5-1. Freeke Moes opened the game with a goal after just 35 seconds and gave the Dutch team a brilliant start. After Pien Sanders made it 4-1 shortly before halftime, it was clear that Germany had a long way to go to turn the game around. Lena Micheel scored the only goal of the game for the German team in the 19th minute.
With a win in the final group game against Ireland next day, Germany could potentially make it to the semi-finals. Germany currently sits in Group A with three points, behind the Netherlands, who lead with six points. The win against France at the start (4:1) had initially given the German players hope, but the pressure on the team is now increasing due to the performance against the Dutch.
A look at the background
The Netherlands is considered a stronghold in hockey and has not only won the last four of the five Olympic Games in the past, but has also won the European Championships twelve times. Germany, on the other hand, has been waiting for a win against the Netherlands at a European Championship tournament for 18 years, which makes the encounter all the more challenging for the players. Particularly worth mentioning is the role of Janneke Schopman, who started as “Technical Director Youth” at the German Hockey Federation (DHB) in October 2024 and was promoted to national coach in November. This is a historic event as she is the first woman to hold this position in German women's hockey. Schopman has introduced a new, dynamic approach to the German team that requires a fast and powerful style of play.
Although Germany had to do without the injured players Sonja Zimmermann and Felicia Wiedermann in this game, the team showed signs of hope in the first half. The players praised Schopman's meticulous analysis and the intensive training sessions that took place in the weeks before the European Championships. Goalkeeper Julia Sonntag and captain Linnea Weidemann emphasized that the new approach and strategy could be crucial for future games.
The look forward
On the last matchday of the group stage, the Netherlands will face France, while Germany will have to do everything they can to win in their duel with Ireland. Only with a clear win could the German team retain their chance of reaching the semi-finals. It remains to be seen whether the pressure will transform the young players, including European Championship debutants Sophia Schwabe and Sara Strauss, into a concentrated performance, or whether the constant rivalry with the Dutch will weigh heavily on their shoulders. The outcome of the game will be crucial for the members of the DHB selection, who want to assert themselves against the decades-long dominance of the Dutch.
It remains exciting for all hockey fans: Will Germany turn things around against Ireland and take a step further towards medals? Only time will tell.
You can find more details in the reports from Wesermarsch district newspaper and South German newspaper as well as the Wikipedia page for the European Hockey Championships.